London Irish Takeover Confirmed

It has been announced today by London Irish that the Premiership club has been taken over by a consortium of Irish businessmen.

The London-based group which has now acquired a major shareholding in the company, will be led by Mick Crossan – chairman of the club’s primary sponsor Powerday – and includes former Exiles captain David Fitzgerald.

The owners have committed substantial new funds to invest in the new centre of excellence at Hazelwood and to strengthen the professional playing squad.

Director of rugby Brian Smith revealed the Exiles, who are struggling in eleventh place in the Premiership this season, are determined to build on their Irish roots by signing more players from the Celtic nation.

"We have to be what we say we are on the tin and that means being representative of Ireland," Smith said.

This comes at a time when the side is struggling to keep hold of their star England wing Marland Yarde, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

After the incredible signing of Australian wing James O’Connor earlier this season, the side has still struggled and will be looking to drastically tur5n things around in the second half of the season.

Just today the club also confirmed the arrival of South African 2007 World Cup Winning prop CJ van der Linde until the end of the season.

 Van der Linde arrives as injury cover for Halani Aulika, who is out for the rest of the season.

 "CJ is a world-class scrummager and will bring a lot of experience and composure to our pack," Smith said.

Finally, in relation to the takeover, Fitzgerald revealed there are no plans to move ground from Reading, where they are contracted to stay at the Madejski Stadium until 2025-26.

While stating Irish now have access to "substantial funds", he refused to embark on a spending spree to sign new players.